Montevideo, Montevideo Department

destination

Montevideo

The highlights of Montevideo were seeing the Parliament building, the main square and this viewpoint overlooking the sea.

Puerto Madryn, Chubut Province

destination

Puerto Madryn

It’s actually located on a UNESCO site called Peninsula Valdes, which gets its fame for its diverse wildlife, deep sea, and natural beauty. A 5AM wake up call took us to see the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America (1.5 million of them!) They were all coming to the mainland to mate and breed in time for warmer summer days ahead. Most of the penguins were seen sitting under small shrubs, protecting their eggs – and they were so cute! Penguins have always been my favorite animal, so this was extra special for me to see them in their natural habitat (the first time of many on this trip).Puerto Madryn also has some incredible whale watching, where thousands of Southern Right Whales (up to 15 meters long) are breaching out in the open sea. Unbelievable.—

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), FK

outdoors

New Island

Our first landing was at a tiny remote island in the West called New Island, which has a population of exactly 2 residents, John and Charlene. New Island has superb wildlife, most notably giant colonies of Rockhopper Penguins – the little guys with red eyes and spikey yellow eyebrows!! They are curious little fellas who are not shy to walk right up to us (even though we weren’t allowed to get near them, but if they approach us then it’s okay). I spent several hours just staring in amazement at them.On our way out of the island, we all jumped little boats (zodiacs) back to our ship. The ride was only 10 minutes long, but there were 5 dolphins jumping around our boat the entire way back! It was amazing!!!

Stanley, East Falkland

destination

Stanley

Our last stop in the Falklands was the capital and largest town called Stanley.I was excited to visit here because I am really interested to see how the locals live in settlements, and I got a great taste of it by indulging in the local pubs, eating at restaurants and meeting some locals around the island. I was shocked to see how British they are (more on that in my video below!)

Antarctica, AQ

destination • outdoors

Antarctica

As cliché as it sounds – words just cannot describe Antarctica. I am not a religious person by any means, but the only word I can use to explain Antarctica is spiritual. It’s one of those places that you need to experience, feel and witness with your own naked eyes. The Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding nature is overpowering.

Chile, CL

outdoors

Cape Horn

Cape Horn is notorious for being a “sailors graveyard” in that it’s the dangerous place for sailors to cross beacuse of the year-round hazardous weather. It’s normal to have strong ocean currents, gale force winds and massive waves… not to mention, the remoteness of these islands, far away from any civilization, make it very difficult to escape or call for help in an emergency situation.